Rajshahi private clinics, hospitals to suspend surgeries from today

Private clinic and hospital owners in Rajshahi have announced a suspension of all medical surgeries starting today (Thursday) in protest against the demand for an increased fee for anesthesiologists.

Rajshahi branch leaders of Bangladesh Private Clinic, Hospital and Diagnostic Owners Association announced at a press conference at a restaurant in the city yesterday evening, reports our Rajshahi staff correspondent.

On Tuesday, owners of clinics and private hospitals threatened to stop surgeries from Thursday over honorarium for anesthesiologists.

Muklesur Rahman Shah, general secretary of Rajshahi chapter of Bangladesh Private Clinic, Hospital and Diagnostic Owners' Association, said they decided in a meeting on Sunday.

On Sunday, the association announced new rates for the anesthesiologists after bilateral talks. They also announced an ultimatum against the anesthesiologists to agree on the new rates by Wednesday.

According to clinic owners, on September 4, the local chapter of the Bangladesh Society of Anesthesiologists (BSA) sent a set of new rates to the clinic owners without any discussion.

However, the private hospital and clinic owners said the rate proposed by the anesthesiologists was not acceptable.

"Their rates were unacceptable as those were Tk 1500 to 3000 higher than current rates," said Muklesur Rahman Shah.

Later, both organisations sat together and decided that the association would propose a rate.

However, the BSA sent a fresh rate to clinics and hospitals on September 12.

Dr Md Khizir Hossain, general secretary of BSA Rajshahi told The Daily Star that their current honorarium has not been changed since 2016.

"We couldn't bargain during the pandemic. Now, the rates need to be changed," Hossain said.

The rate that the association announced increased the rates by a maximum Tk 200, he said adding, "We felt humiliated by that."